Regional focus: 539 projects currently in LATAM hotel pipeline [Construction Report]
The LATAM region’s hotel market is looking promising with several interesting projects underway. (Photo: Pexels)
TOPHOTELPROJECTS shows how from resorts in the Dominican Republic to residences in the Cayman Islands, there is an interesting roster of properties set to hit the LATAM market.
Latin America gears up for a busy few years, according to figures from the TOPHOTELPROJECTS database.
We check out the top brands and projects that are destined for Central and South America, as well as the Caribbean, and run through some of the most important numbers for the region’s hospitality industry.
LATAM hotel marked in good health
Covid-19 is already having a disastrous effect on the global tourism industry, but for now, Latin America is less affected by the virus than other regions.
It remains to be seen how this will play out once the weather takes a dip in temperatures over the coming months, but figures pulled from the TOPHOTELPROJECTS database show a region in good health, despite the flailing health of the international industry at large.
539 projects will be opening across Latin America over the coming years, bringing a total additional key count of 137,245 to the region by 2024 and beyond.
The majority of these openings will happen this year, as far as we know at this stage, with 212 hotels set to welcome guests before the year is out. 2021 is also gearing up to be a landmark year for the LATAM hospitality industry, with a projected 156 hotels to open.
These openings should be facilitated by the fact that there are 185 projects in the planning stage, and 198 under construction, which, if the timelines are kept to, should put them in a good position to meet the deadlines in 2021 and beyond. There is a fairly even split between luxury and first-class hotels, with the categories having 254 and 285 projects respectively.
Americas Hotel Construction Report
Countries, cities and brands
Perhaps unsurprisingly, Mexico is the strongest country in Latin America when it comes to hotel development. Mexico’s tourism industry has been going from strength to strength over the last couple of years, owing to strong government support in its promotion.
The country will boast 139 new projects out of the total number of hotels in the LATAM pipeline, with Brazil’s 74 in second place hardly coming close to Mexico’s whopping total, while Argentina will welcome 46 new hotels, closing out the Top 3.
As far as cities are concerned, Cancun and Sao Paulo are firm favourites, with 20 and 15 new properties to arrive there in the near future. The Dominican Republic’s Punta Cana comes in third with 13.
Mid-scale brands are clearly all the rage in Latin America, as the biggest hitters in the TOPHOTELPROJECTS database are Hampton by Hilton, Howard Johnson and Hilton Garden Inn, with 17, 15 and 14 hotels respectively.
Notable projects
The Wynn Hotel & Resort Punta Cana is the largest project currently in the pipeline, boasting an incredible 9,000 rooms on the Dominican Republic’s eastern coastline. Due to open in 2024, this phased construction will eventually deliver a resort that will appeal to leisure travellers, individuals and families.
Punta Cana will also be home to the Grand Fiesta Americana Los Corales Punta Cana, a 5-star new-build property due to open in the middle of next year. This 554-key luxury property is an all-inclusive resort that will be Grand Fiesta Americana’s first property in the Caribbean. Guests will be able to indulge in a wide range of adventure activities, including snorkelling, paddleboarding, kayaking and more.
Sam Lord’s Castle Barbados – A Wyndham Grand Resort is a new development with a swashbuckling history. Located on the former site of Sam Lord’s Castle, a renowned enclave for 19th-century pirates, this 450-key hotel and resort complex will boast a state-of-the-art spa, three restaurants and expansive meeting and event spaces.
Finally, the Grand Hyatt Grand Cayman Hotel and Residences will be located on Pageant Beach in the Cayman Islands and will appeal to business and leisure travellers alike, given its 25,000-square-foot of indoor meeting, conference and event space, and 351 well-appointed guest rooms executed to a luxurious standard. There will also be six F&B venues, three swimming pools, retail outlets and a spa and fitness centre.
